A small smile passes over her face. “You’re not mad at me for being envious?”
I snort. “No. I actually admire you for admitting it. Most people would just not acknowledge the feeling and stuff it down. But you’ve always been honest with me. Which is why I love you so much. I know the envy isn’t about me. It’s about wanting something more for yourself.”
I see the light bulb go off in her head. “Maybe you’re right. I wish the universe would take over and tell me what do to. Or point me in the right direction.”
“I think now that you’ve acknowledged it, you’ll be more clued in to different opportunities and experiences.”
“When did you become so worldly?” Hadleigh asks. Then she smiles. “Oh wait. Since you started traveling the world. Ha!”
I snicker. “Don’t take too much advice from me. I know I’m a huge risk taker.”
Hadleigh nods, and by her expression I can tell she feels relieved. “Thank you for understanding. I feel so much better that I’m not keeping that from you.”
“You never have to keep anything from me.”
“I’m so proud of you. For how good you are at your job. For seizing opportunities with both hands. And for going for love.”
I grow teary. “Thank you for that. You will never know how much it means to me.”
Hadleigh throws her arms around me. “I think this is a good spot to say goodbye.”
Now I really have to blink back tears. It truly hits me that I’m going to London, where I don’t know anyone, to start a new life in a strange country.
But I’m also going to pursue a career I’ve dreamed about, and words can’t describe how excited I am to begin doing all the things The Downforce Network wants to do. The partnership with E. Hay is just the beginning of sponsorships. And the content I’ll have for my socials will be stupid good.
“Not goodbye. See you later,” I tell her.
She smiles. “See you later.”
I continue my walk to security alone, joining the winding line with passengers waiting to be screened. I push back the feelings of fear and sadness, determined to focus on all the opportunities that lie ahead.
Buzz!
I reach into my bag and fish out my phone. To my surprise, I see it’s a text from Caleb. It’s one-thirty in the morning in London! I tap open his message:
I see you’re at the airport.
I grin and text him back:
Stalk much?
Caleb Collings is typing …
Aren’t you spicy tonight?
I smile at his words. Another text comes through:
I just like to know where you are. It doesn’t make you feel as far away.
I’m so going to fall hard for this man.
I decide to tease him further:
I don’t believe you. I think you’re tracking me so you can avoid seeing me and hearing my thoughts on how Xavier got the inside on you to capture third?
Another message drops in:
Smart arse.